Desmond Ridder, former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback, released by Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder, a 2022 third-round draft pick who helped the University of Cincinnati Bearcats to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in his fourth and final season as UC's quarterback, was released Tuesday by the Arizona Cardinals .

Ridder was traded in March to Arizona from the Atlanta Falcons .

In the Cardinals' preseason finale, Ridder completed 10-of-16 attempts for 111 passing yards and 25 rushing yards before leaving the game after a big hit. He entered the team's concussion protocol after the game.

He was competing with Clayton Tune to be Kyler Murray's backup.

Ridder has played in 19 regular-season games over two NFL seasons with 17 starts, completing 64 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, adding five rushing TDs. Former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith benched Ridder after naming him the Falcons' starter before the 2023 season.

Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason said last October that Ridder was holding the Falcons back.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Desmond Ridder, former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback, released by Arizona Cardinals